When I was little, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house while my parents were building their businesses. I always loved going there. The long driveway was lined with magnolia trees, which is the inspiration behind the name of my blog. I spent many days in the shade of those magnificent trees inhaling their heavily perfumed fragrance. To this very day, the smell of a magnolia blossom takes me right back to those carefree days. I played under the arches of those trees and dreamed of the future. Some days I was a doctor using magnolia leaves to heal my sick baby dolls and playmates. Other times, I was a loving mommy roasting blossoms on the barbecue to feed my babies. Today, it is my mental happy place where I can go and be instantly reminded of the importance of choosing joy.

Now that I’m a mom with what seems like a million responsibilities and demands, choosing joy is even more important. It’s easy to get pulled into dozens of unnecessary directions by office politics, traffic and just general grumpiness. I find that if I dwell on those things, then, like a comedy of errors, things just get worse. But if I can switch my focus to what’s truly important, then all those silly, unimportant frustrations fade. One of my favorite Bible verses is Phillipians 4:8 which says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

For me, this verse means that when things get hectic and start to become overwhelming, head to your magnolia tree! What I find there is the beauty of God’s creation, the rambuctious exuberance of my baby girls, the steadfast support of my caring husband, and the many ways that I am supported, nurtured and loved by God and by the ones who love me most. Today has had its challenges, but as I take a moment to recharge and recenter myself beneath my magnolia tree, I am ever confident in my ability to choose joy.